The Walrus Says

By Jim Munro

Observe Columbus Day with the St. Mark Knights of Columbus as they host their annual Primo Pasta Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the church hall. The menu for the evening will be pasta and meatballs, sausage and peppers, salad, Italian bread, dessert and beverages. Ticket prices are $5 for children, $10 for adults and $25 for families of two adults and three children. David Nardolillo said the chef promises the best sauce this side of Federal Hill. He also says that the recipe has been received in a hermetically sealed envelope from Naples, Italy, this past week.

During the event, the Knights will draw the final prizes for the 10/10 Club. Ticket holders who do not attend the dinner are invited to join the diners for dessert and coffee during the drawings.

Dinner tickets are on sale after every weekend Mass at St Mark Church, or can be reserved by calling David at 423-2413. You can also take your chance at the door.

MANGIA!

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This is the last week for entries in the Creative Scarecrow competition. Entry forms need to be in this coming weekend, Oct. 9. Scarecrows should be up by Columbus Day so that judging can take place between Monday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 17. Judy Knight says that the aim is to have fun and raise money for hungry people through the Jamestown Community Farm. “Originally, I had intended to send the money to the R.I. Food Bank but later realized that the JCF would multiply those funds. All of the money will go directly to the JCF,” Judy said. Entry forms are in Sally Scarecrow’s basket at 155 Conanicus Ave., opposite the Bay Voyage.

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Rhode Island Rocks? Mc- Quade’s Market is donating this tasty and unique item as the door prize for the upcoming performance of Charlie Hall’s Ocean State Follies at the recreation center on Oct. 23. The evening is a benefit for the Jamestown Medical Fund. Maryann Toppa, the JMF secretary, says she will be glad to deliver tickets to anyone who calls her at her home, 423-2866, and leaves a message. Tickets are also available at Baker’s Pharmacy and the Cathryn Jamieson Salon.

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With the Jamestown Community Theatre celebrating 20 years of community art and more than 30 productions, artistic director and co-founder of the troupe, Mary S. Wright, is directing the production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” now in rehearsal and to be presented next month at the recreation center. She will be assisted by Annie McIntyre.

Tickets will go on sale next Wednesday, Oct.13, at Baker’s Pharmacy, Cathryn Jamieson Salon, The Secret Garden and Conanicut Marine store. They may also be purchased at Pleasant Surprise in Newport and Midnight Sun in Wickford. For seniors and children, tickets are $7. Adults pay $12. If you wait too long, they will be $10 or $15, respectively, at the door.

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The Friends of the Jamestown Library will sponsor a flu shot clinic on Saturday, Oct. 9, with the Wellness Company at the library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your medical insurance card with you; otherwise, it’s $20.

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Taking issue with my statement last week that a LNG tanker cannot explode, Robert Godfrey, who identifies himself as a researcher and webmaster for Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance in Eastport, Maine, writes, “A LNG tanker can’t explode,” is a false claim. If there were a LNG release on board a ship, LNG vapor could migrate into the ship’s hull, conning tower, or other confinement – a credible scenario presenting a classic natural gas explosion hazard. The ship certainly could explode. Such an explosion could contribute to additional LNG release, resulting in more fire and explosion potential.”

If that were possible, Mr. Godfrey, when was the last time it happened?

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No takers for B.J.’s poser last week:

Like a song through the trees you came to love me

Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away.

It’s from “Forever Autumn” by the Moody Blues.

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B.J.’s poser for this week: Lovers that bless the dark, on benches in Central Park.

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And, one from Peter Pemantell:

I’ll be alone each and every night

While you’re away, don’t forget to write.

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Matt Dillon’s horse in “Gunsmoke” was named Buck.

Who was the major movie star first offered the role of Matt Dillon, but turned it down?

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We note an influx of new homes being built in the alreadycrowded area between Narragansett Avenue and Hamilton Avenue. One house nearing completion is on a corner lot that the house barely fits on. Are the new homeowners bringing their own water? We have such short memories.

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Before there was the Chamber of Commerce, there was the Jamestown Village Association, which met each month upstairs at the Oyster Bar. We came across the minutes of the May 1, 1991 meeting that got underway at 8 in the morning.

There were 38 members then; Tim Baker was president, Linda Martino was secretary and Sandy Najmy, treasurer. Sandra Reynolds headed up the beautification committee and Matt Clarke handled public relations. John A. Murphy was preparing by-laws for the organization, and Charlotte Richardson and Larry Walsh were going over letters from people wishing membership.

It was at this meeting that the name of the group was finalized. There was discussion about all the businesses planting red, white and blue flowers for Memorial Day and preparing a float for the parade.

The Jamestown Press
was to make maps of the business area and post them at East and West Ferry, and a committee was named to investigate parking needs for the summer trade. A letter was sent to the Town Council requesting that the improvements proposed for Narragansett Avenue by a URI landscaping class be done one phase at a time. There was a suggestion for a family day at East Ferry on July 4.

The group went on to start “Christmas in Jamestown” the first week in December, having litter baskets installed downtown and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Jamestown USO Center, now the recreation center. Ask Tim Baker about his fundraising chicken barbecues.

It was a great group filled with a wonderful spirit and enthusiasm that brought new faces to their businesses and brightened up downtown. Literally, one Christmas, all the decorations were white.

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Those huge and top-heavy looking vessels continue to arrive and anchor off Newport. The Crown Princess of the Princess line will be in tomorrow and the Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Jewel, both of the Norwegian cruise line, will be in the East Passage on Saturday. The Caribbean Princess of the Princess line and the Crystal Symphony of the Crystal line will visit Sunday. Monday, we’ll see the Atlantica of the Costa line and the Summit of the Celebrity line. The Crystal Symphony of the Crystal line will return next Wednesday.

*** Be true!

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Call in your stuff to 829-2760or 423-0383, or email us at jtnwalrus@hotmail.com.